2017 Apple Cup

Choices on television were pretty limited last night – especially for a couple of old folks who could care less about football.  But here we are, a stone’s throw from Husky stadium and Nyel a two- times graduate of the UW (BA ’65; MA ’85), so watching the Apple Cup seemed the right thing to do.  For a minute or two.  On and off.  Just to assure himself that the Dawgs were bringing home the bacon, or in this case, the applesauce.

We spent far more of the evening watching the National Dog Show – always fun but never enough time with any of the dogs.  This year there were 2,000 dogs competing and it was a Brussels Griffon named Newton who won best of show.  Nyel was underwhelmed.  Nothing against Newton (who is called a “Chewbaca look-alike”).  It’s just that Nyel prefers large, or at least mid-sized dogs, and Newton is definitely not in either of those categories.

Newton, the Chewbaca Look-Alike

Nyel’s choices among the dogs we saw were the Golden Retriever, the Giant Schnauzer, and the Old English Sheepdog. I’m always partial to German Shepherds and Border Collies.  But, as the commentators pointed out, small dogs are the very most popular these days – a fact reflected in the judging, we’re pretty sure.

Nyel has been talking “dog” for some time now.  He has visions of sitting by the fire with pipe (though he doesn’t smoke) and slippers, a big, mellow dog at his feet, gazing at him with adoring eyes.  Great idea, as far as it goes.  “But,” says a small (probably a bit querulous voice) who is going to walk this imaginary dog?  And feed it?  And clean up after it?  And give it a bath?”  So far, no answers have been forthcoming…

Maybe it will suffice to see dog movies on TV.  Last week at Emanuel Hospital we saw “A Dog’s Purpose” and both enjoyed a huge dose of warm-and-fuzzy.  There must be lots of great dog films.  And it certainly would bring a whole new meaning to the term “putting on the dog!”